Port Talbot RNLI celebrates outstanding volunteer achievements

In the charity’s 200th year of saving lives at sea, Port Talbot RNLI’s one crew came together for a special celebration of outstanding volunteer achievements, recognising the efforts of many individuals across varying roles that all contribute to saving lives at sea.

Port Talbot Lifeboat Operations Manager, Clive Morris said:

‘Our volunteers have been recognised by His Majesty The King and the RNLI. Their dedication to serving our community is exceptional and I am immensely proud to lead such a team.

‘2024 is a moment in history for our lifesaving charity as we aim to commemorate, celebrate, inspire and give thanks to our volunteers who continually show the RNLI values of selfless, trustworthy, dependable and courageous. What a fantastic evening it’s been for us all to take a moment together as one crew and recognise everyone’s incredible achievements.’

The Lord Lieutenant of Glamorgan Louise Fleet presented the awards during the evening. Louise has a close affinity with the RNLI and told a story of her family members who were involved with the RNLI in varying roles and actually had with her a medal belonging to her father in law who served for 37 years. A special award was bestowed to Port Talbot’s outgoing President Mr William Hopkin MBE, who received a Long Service Award in recognition of his incredible 40 year service to the RNLI. William also received a bronze lifeboatman statue as a token of thanks from everyone at the station for his leadership and support over the years.

Four RNLI Excellence in Volunteering Awards (EVA) were presented to Janice Curtis – Lifeboat Administration Officer, Paul Skinner – Helm & Crew member, Ceri Jeffreys – Press Officer, Launch Authority & Shore Crew, and Kirstee David-Watts – Press Officer & Shop Volunteer.

These awards recognise the outstanding contributions that these individuals have made to Port Talbot Lifeboat Station. Janice was instrumental in establishing a collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover earlier this year, to have the station’s beloved Land Rover overhauled – she now looks as good as new! Janice said ‘the recognition means a great deal to me however I feel an incredible amount of credit should go to Jaguar Landrover Classic for their generous support. My role in facilitating this restoration was built on a desire to benefit our station and the awe inspiring crew who work tirelessly to keep our community safe’

Paul worked to train and pass out four additional Helms for the station as well as implementing and rolling out the brand-new training programme to all crew and going to sea an exceptional amount of times all in the name of training.

Ceri was recognised for his dedication and commitment to the station, in the multiple roles he fulfils with diligence, professionalism and regularly demonstrating unwavering dedication to the welfare of others. Kirstee’s award is in recognition of her continuous commitment across her various volunteer roles, raising the station’s profile and her outstanding work as Shop Manager where her team significantly increased income.

Ceri said: ‘What an honour it is to receive this award in our 200th Anniversary year, thank you to the whole Port Talbot RNLI team for all the support and a huge congratulations to everyone else receiving recognition this evening.

‘As humbled as we are to receive the recognition, we don’t volunteer for the RNLI for awards. We do it because we want to serve our communities and keep people safe, as all the selfless volunteers before us have done for the past 200 years.

‘The RNLI relies on volunteers and the generosity of our supporters to be able to continue our lifesaving work We hope we’re inspiring the next generation of lifesavers so the charity can carry on saving lives at sea for the next 200 years.’

Also presented that evening were 17 King Charles III Coronation Medals. The recipients of these medals were required to have been in their roles for five years leading up to His Majesty’s 2023 Coronation. This team of 17 volunteers produce some impressive statistics having amassed over 287 years of volunteering between them with an awe-inspiring approx. 2.5 million hours of their time, dedicated to helping save lives at sea.

Those awarded the Coronation Medal are; Ronald Jones, Rachel Thomas, James Jennings, Stephen Summerfield, Ceri Jeffreys, Leon Murphy, David Jones, Paul Skinner, Carl Matthews, Thomas Hopkins, Spencer Davies, Rebecca Owen, Robert Owen, Dean Fyfield, Leanne Noakes, Haydn Gardner.

The star of the evening was Rebecca Owen’s son Jack who proudly accepted his mums award whilst she was at work with HM Coastguard.

Next, 15 framed Casualty Care certificates were issued to those that attended the three-day specialised course run by the RNLI. This course is intended to enable crew the ability to enhance their lifesaving skills at sea. The course teaches crew to triage, support and care for casualties and helps them to dynamically assess if rapid evacuation is required for a casualty.

During the training each crew member must pass both a written and practical test to demonstrate their skill. At the end of the course everyone participates in a final scenario where teams treat multiple casualties. The attendance on this course demonstrates the willingness, dedication and commitment of the volunteer crew in enhancing their first-aid casualty care skills for when it matters most.

Those presented with these certificates are; Dean Fyfield, Paul Skinner, David Jones, Stephen Summerfield, James Jennings, Leanne Noakes, Ceri Jeffreys, Rebecca Owen, Haydn Gardner, Eirian Evans, Christopher Thomas, Daniel Rees, Damian Evans, Mike Davies-Young and Gareth Kehoe.

Marshall Dunnion and Thomas Charles were awarded their CEP Sea Survival certificates. This three-day course provides the essential skills required to right a lifeboat in an emergency, restart the engine, ensuring that a rescue can continue or that the crew can return safely to shore.

Two new crew members Matthew Shelby and Jason Clifford-Hillman received a warm welcome to the team and were issued with their Tie and jacket.

Certificates of Thanks were issued to the station Press Officers Ceri Jeffreys and Kirstee David-Watts, for their involvement in the production of the latest Saving Lives at Sea series where Port Talbot Lifeboat Station crew were featured.

We also said goodbye to four of our colleagues who were thanked for their dedication service- Ronald Bailey, Joseph Kerr, Katie May, Emma Thomas and Chris Rees.

To end the evening the committee at the venue, The Gas Club donated a £100 to Clive Morris for which we give our thanks.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Kirstee David-Watts, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected].

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 / [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789 / [email protected].

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024 (RNLI’s 200th anniversary) and throughout the year, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.